Built Environment Efforts in Woonsocket

Overview

The City of Woonsocket strives to create a built environment that provides a rich source of physical activity and active transportation for all residents

Physical activity is an excellent way for people of all ages to take charge of their health. Regular physical activity results in numerous health benefits - such as decreased risk for chronic disease and early death. Cities that are built to support physical activity not only improve residents’ health, but also enrich the community by promoting economic stimulation and social connection.

In order to create an environment conducive to physical activity, per the Community Preventive Services Task Force’s built environment recommendation, the CDC recommends city-planners focus on everyday destinations and activity-friendly routes. Everyday destinations can be improved by increasing their proximity to other community & neighborhood destinations, leveraging land use mechanisms, and assessing the appropriate level of residential density. As for activity-friendly routes, some measures of quality include: street pattern design & connectivity, pedestrian & bicycle infrastructure, and public transit infrastructure & access. In practice, this all might look like sidewalks, trails, and/or parks that are safe and convenient for residents to integrate into their daily routines.

Together, the City of Woonsocket and advocates, have taken measures to improve the built environment by:

  • Maintaining flexibility in City zoning and land use policies to meet current needs as appropriate

  • Providing regional bicycle connections and recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors, through paths like the Blackstone River Bikeway

Timeline Highlights

Blackstone River Bikeway

2007-2018

Totals to over 18 miles of bikeway.

Mixed-Use Overlay Zoning

2015 - expanded 2024

Resulted in 600 new housing units and the decline of store-front vacancies from 50% to <18%, all contributing to a more vibrant, walkable downtown.

Truman Drive Greenway project

2023-2024

Incorporating the Blackstone River Bikeway - provides recreational, economic, and public health benefits.

History and Timeline

Key policies, investments, events, and other factors that have played a role in advancing the built environment in a way that promotes physical activity in the community.

flowchart TB
  subgraph Land Use
    B["`<b>Downtown Redevelopment Area Designation</b>
    2014`"] --> C["`<b>Mixed-Use Overlay Zoning - Downtown Main Street District</b>
    2015 (expanded 2024)`"]
    C["`<b>Mixed-Use Overlay Zoning - Downtown Main Street District</b>
    2015 (expanded 2024)`"] --> Z["`<b>Proposed zoning text & map revisions</b>
    2024`"]
  end 
  
  subgraph Pedestrian & Cyclist Networks
    F("`<b>Blackstone River Bikeway</b>
    2007-2018`") --> A["`<b>Bikeway Signage</b>
    2014`"]
    A["`<b>Bikeway Signage</b>
    2014`"] --> G("`<b>Truman Drive Greenway project in the City of Woonsocket</b>
    2023-2024`")
    G("`<b>Truman Drive Greenway project in the City of Woonsocket</b>
    2023-2024`") --> D["`<b>Safe Streets for All</b>
    2024`"]
    G("`<b>Truman Drive Greenway project in the City of Woonsocket</b>
    2023-2024`") --> E["`<b>Ban of electronic bikes in City parks</b>
    2024`"]
  end

Pedestrian & Cyclist Networks

  • Blackstone River Bikeway (2007-2018): a part of the Blackstone River Greenway, a 48-mile trail from Worcester, MA, to Providence, RI, has significant portions completed, but several gaps remain. While 17 miles of off-road, paved trails exist in segments, the remaining sections require funding and implementation.

  • Bikeway Signage (2014): City partnership with the East Coast Greenway Alliance for new directional signage around Woonsocket for the Bikepath.

  • Truman Drive Greenway project (2023-2024): transformed a 4-lane, underutilized public road (Truman Drive) into a 2-lane road and linear park incorporating the Blackstone River Bikeway and green infrastructure to treat stormwater runoff into the nearby Blackstone River, while providing recreational, economic, and public health benefits to the city.

  • Safe Streets for All and the ban of electronic bikes in parks (2024): policies to support the SS4A program, develop a Safety Action Plan, and promote safety for pedestrians in City parks by prohibiting motorized bikes.City parks by prohibiting motorized bikes.

Land Use

  • Downtown Redevelopment Area Designation (2014): created a legal description of the boundaries of the redevelopment area and planning for projects within it. Redevelopment projects can include streetscapes, building renovations, new construction, flood control, water and sewer improvements, and parking lots.

  • Mixed-Use Overlay Zoning (2015 - expanded 2024): re-zoning that made it easier for investors to propose residential and commercial (re)development in the downtown district.

    • Store-front vacancies have declined from 50% to less than 18%.
    • Permitting multi-family residential development by Main Street has resulted in approx. 600 new units of housing either recently completed or in the development pipeline, all of which helps to shape a more vibrant and walkable downtown.

  • Proposed zoning text & map revisions (2024): as outlined in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, the City revisited its Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map to include the goals of:

    • GOAL LU-6: Providing access to open space for all residents and bringing environmental values into the City.
    • GOAL LU-7: Planning for Land Use in anticipation of improvement to the City’s transportation network, and coordinating its accommodation of all users - including pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobile drivers.
    • GOAL LU-8: Encouraging the development of the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor.
    • GOAL LU-9: Maintaining a Planning & Development Department that satisfactorily plans for Woonsocket’s optimum physical, economic, and community development.

Resources

Interactive Map

Get Involved